Welcome to another entry in our The Vintage Collection: The Ninety Six column. Hasbro recently committed to collectors that they will be “focusing” on characters in The Vintage Collection that fall under “The Ninety Six” banner. If you’re new to this, it means that for every classic Kenner figure, there needs a modern counterpart. Between 2020 and 2021, Hasbro’s made an admirable effort by focusing on these characters. But there is more work to be done, and we’ll figure out where we are step by step.
We’re right in alignment with Hasbro in our vintage Kenner database. There are 21 figures under the STAR WARS banner, 29 figures under THE EMPIRE STRIKES BACK banner, 31 figures under the RETURN OF THE JEDI banner, and 15 figures under THE POWER OF THE FORCE banner. (Sy Snootles, Max Rebo, Droopy McCool, and Blue Snaggletooth bring the number to an even 100 figures.)
Read our assessment, and then be sure to add your thoughts to the comments. Let us know if you agree or disagree. If you’re a customizer, show us your custom definitive figure in the comments as well! Who knows? It might give Hasbro some ideas.
Is there a definitive modern counterpart to 1978’s SW Sand People figure?
2021’s THE VINTAGE COLLECTION Tusken Raider (VC199)
Has Hasbro added this character’s card art and figure into THE VINTAGE COLLECTION?
Yes. Hasbro released the Walmart exclusive Lucasfilm 50th Anniversary THE VINTAGE COLLECTION Tusken Raider. It’s not perfect, but Hasbro made multiple enhancements to the base figure, thus making it the definitive release of this character in a 3.75-inch scale.
Does THE VINTAGE COLLECTION release completely satisfy the modern counterpart to 1978’s SW Sand People figure?
Yes, but not without some griping. Hasbro FINALLY updated the figure’s swivel elbow joints. The new version comes with ball-jointed elbows. Also, Hasbro tooled an all-new head sculpt for the Tusken Raider. The biggest issue is the figure’s paint job. It doesn’t look too good in the press images. So, we’ll have to wait until we have in-hand samples before making a final judgment. The card art is updated with the name TUSKEN RAIDER, and it has an awful Lucasfilm 50th Anniversary logo.
If Hasbro didn’t release the figure yet, do we have a near-definitive to definitive release of this character that can be added to THE VINTAGE COLLECTION with little updating?
We believe this figure will serve as the definitive counterpart to 1978’s SW Sand People figure.
What does Hasbro have to do so we can check off “Sand People” from our Vintage Vs. Modern checklists?
They need to get the paint operations right before it goes into mass production.
The year and years elapsed (through 2021) since we last had this character in classic Kenner packaging?
2021’s TVC Tusken Raider (VC199). 0 years ago.
2006’s VTSC Sand People. 15 years ago.
1978’s SW Sand People. 43 years ago.
3.75-inch Super-Articulated Hasbro Kenner Sand People Star Wars Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope The Vintage Collection The Vintage Conversation Tusken Raider
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